ﬁf,§°§;:,{:§nd] AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS 47 Black Sea coast within 30 miles of the sea, especially round Kerasund, where they cover 460 square miles, and where their cultivation is almost the sole industry. They require little attention, and are highly re-— munerative, being rich in oil and of a good ﬂavour.
The output of nuts doubled between 1903 and 1909, the trees having been improved by grafting, and the increase was continued up to 1914. The yield in 1913 was 48,240 tons. In dry years the output decreases. The distribution of the nut harvest in 1912 was as
fOllOWS I—'— Tons _
Trebizond and the district to the east . `
� 0W� 8,330 Kerasund ... ... ... 13,320 Tireboli and Elevi 0�� �� 6,660 Ordu Pu� ��� 0�� 4,440 32,750
Tobacco‘ is the chief product of economic im- portance. It is grown in all parts of Armenia, but the best qualities and greatest quantities are cultivated in the Samsun, Platana, and Trebizond districts. Two kinds are grown. The Samsun—Bafra variety, with small but very aromatic leaves, commands a high price; the Trebizond-Platana variety has large leaves and a bright colour, but its market price is much lower.
The output of tobacco from 1910 to 1913 was
as follows:—— TOnS_ 1910 PQ� �נ �I� �Р 1,550
1911 h� �L� 0�� ��� 2,340
_ 1912 � �B� �ѫ 2,700 1913 @�� . ... 1,540
The smaller output in 1910 and 1913 was due to dry weather, which reduces the quantity of the crop, although it improves its quality. 7
The tobacco industry employs four large ﬁrms at Alexandria (Egypt). Trebizond, and Platana.
1 See also below, p. '70.